But she insists that the benefits it gives to her children are her driving force. “Mums who feed for longer are often accused of being selfish,” she says.

“There are things I get out of it – like calm, happy children. But I can say with certainty I’ve done this entirely for the benefit of my kids.

“When Belle finishes I’ll be sad but it’s a natural progression. Her milk teeth are going and I get the impression she won’t be feeding for much longer. But she can take her time.”

Denise admits her choice has raised eyebrows, saying: “I used to get the odd comment from relatives who’d say ‘here we go with the milk thing again’. But I think because people know I’m confident in my decision they let me get on with it.”

However, Belle no longer feeds from her mother in public. “I will sometimes tell Belle no. She hasn’t asked to be fed publicly since she was about four or five. Luckily, I haven’t had many negative responses.”

The mum of two had never planned to continue breastfeeding for so long.

When Belle was a newborn Denise expected to feed her for six months to a year at the most – but when the time came she began to change her mind.

Denise Sumpter with her children Belle, six, and 18-month-old Beau. Denise is an attachment parent who still breastfeeds both her children (Photo: Rosie Hallam/Platform Press)

“I heard women talking about tricking their babies to stop breastfeeding, or simply taking it away,” she says. “Belle seemed so tiny and she really needed her milk.”

Once she started to look into the subject she discovered baby-led weaning. “It became clear that the norms in this country aren’t necessarily correct or what is best for children,” she says.

“The World Health Organisation ­recommends breastfeeding up to two years and beyond. I decided to let nature play its course.”

Denise, from Islington. North London, found help and advice through groups such as breastfeeding support organisation La Leche League. “Having a strong support network is really important,” she says.

“I try to help parents with the information I have as it saves lives, empowers women and makes children happy.

“When mums are told to cover up while breastfeeding in Claridge’s or ignorant politicians like UKIP leader Nigel Farage tell nursing mums to ‘sit in the corner’, it only does harm. What we need is more openness and more truth so mums can make informed decisions.”

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“People argue that after a certain age breast milk has no nutritional benefits but that’s nonsense – there is not a single food source that suddenly stops being nutritious.

"My children have hardly been ill. Beau came down with something the other day and because I nursed him through it he was better in 24 hours. I’ve had similar with Belle. If they’re upset it calms them. It helps them sleep.”

Denise denies her children are overly dependent on her.

“People think by feeding Belle this long I will stunt her confidence. But she is extremely independent – if anything, she can be too bolshie sometimes,” she says.

“Her teachers say she is mature for her age. She’s been away from me at her nan’s for a week and was fine.”

She admits: “If you’d asked me five years ago I never would have thought I’d still be breastfeeding Belle. However, it turned out to be one of the best things I could have done for my family.”

And for little Belle and Beau, nothing could seem more natural.

Denise says: “Belle understands not everyone breastfeeds as long as her, but she’s proud of it. She’ll pretend to breastfeed her dolls. The other day at playgroup Beau picked up a toy bottle and didn’t have a clue what it was. I was proud of that.”

The arguments for and against

She's right - Lactation consultant Luci Lishman, who is also registered nurse and midwife

Denise is an inspiration. Breastfeeding has obviously been helpful for her and her children who are benefiting emotionally and physically.

It’s a personal choice that isn’t for everybody. Some people only want to feed for three months, others for two years.

The important thing is we support mothers to do what is best for them and their child.

The World Health Organisation recommends babies exclusively breastfeed for six months and then continue into the second year and beyond along with solid foods.

For some women that isn’t possible, but it’s an ideal.

Every year a mother breastfeeds she decreases her risk of breast cancer by 4.3 per cent. It also cuts the risk of other cancers and illnesses.

For children breastfeeding provides increased immunity indefinitely.

It is thought that a child’s immune system probably isn’t fully developed until the age of 10 or 12.

Globally, the average age children stop breastfeeding is four and a half.

Longer-term breastfeeding is perfectly natural, it’s just not always seen as socially acceptable.

It’s brave of Denise to share her story – I’m sure it will encourage other mums and trigger conversation.